After a “Star Trek” screening, actor/singer William Shatner answers basically anything

Photos by Andy Argyrakis

As a man who’s conquered TV, film, music, Broadway and books, William Shatner is as famous as they come. Though he’s known for a multitude of roles since the early 1950s, the 87-year-old entertainer will always be most readily linked to portraying Captain James T. Kirk on “Star Trek,” the cross-generational sci-fi franchise that basically got the ball rolling for the entire genre as it’s known today.

But the main event of William Shatner in the flesh was probably the main motivation of Trekkies (and surely a few “T.J. Hooker” fans), who had the chance to write questions out on cards and hope that they’d be read by radio personality Mancow (who switched between a deep reverence for the subject and his typical on-air irreverence).

Though any of the many movies could’ve been chosen as the co-headliner to Shatner’s “Live On Stage” appearance at a crowded and colorful Rosemont Theatre, “Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan” was as ideal of a place to start as any. In addition to the timeless saga of a dastardly villain seeking revenge, it simultaneously broke boundaries when it came to special effects (as far as 1982 was concerned) and foreshadowed some of the computer dreams that have since become a reality.

But the main event of Shatner in the flesh was probably the main motivation of Trekkies (and surely a few “T.J. Hooker” fans), who had the chance to write questions out on cards and hope that they’d be read by radio personality Mancow (who switched between a deep reverence for the subject and his typical on-air irreverence). It actually took the octogenarian several minutes to take a seat as the pair ribbed about a previous public appearance in Joliet and the private paintball game when the living legend faked a heart attack in order to win.

Other icebreakers included “boxers or briefs?,” which a puzzled Shatner shrugged off with a witty “depends,” to the time he had food poisoning before opening night in New York and actually soiled himself on stage (requiring an emergency shower break). There were glimpses of his adoration for animals, a deep friendship with late great co-star Leonard Nimoy, pulling pranks on the set involving bagels and toasters, performing selections from his unexpected country album (“Why Not Me”) at the Grand Ole Opry, plus lamenting the days when a gentleman could sincerely compliment a woman without the fear of being sued.

Shatner also revealed his affinity for racing cars in celebrity tournaments, though he admitted that led foot frequently carries over into real life. The extensive narrative about getting pulled over while wearing his “Star Trek” uniform was a real side-splitter, but was tempered with the bewildered officer’s eventual response to “live long and prosper,” a valediction that was especially fitting as the famous suspect waved his way off the stage and kept right on speeding down the road to 90.

Click here for more photos of William Shatner at the Rosemont Theatre.

For additional information on William Shatner, visit WilliamShatnerTour.com.

Upcoming concert highlights at the Rosemont Theatre include Yuri and Pandora (Mar. 16); Roberto Carlos (Mar. 21); Il Divo (Mar. 27); One Night Of Queen (Mar. 29); Dan + Shay (Mar. 30); Intocable (Apr. 6); Nicky Jam (Apr. 11); Why Don’t We (Apr. 12); Pancho Barraza (Apr. 13); Celtic Woman (Apr. 14); EnParejaDos (Apr. 20); Chayanne (Apr. 27) and MercyMe (Apr. 28). For additional details, visit Rosemont.com/Theatre/ and Ticketmaster.com.

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After a “Star Trek” screening, actor/singer William Shatner answers basically anything

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